Ice Queen

Tampa Bay Hawks #2

by Lindsey Saenz

Thirteen years ago, I became the lone survivor of an accident that changed life as I knew it. Thirteen years of shouldering the guilt of simply existing, while constantly trying to convince myself that I deserve to be here.

Then, I met her. Eyes wide, fear-stricken, as she begged me to help her hide. I didn’t ask questions, I didn’t even know her name when I dropped her off at the airport. I told her to build a life she was proud of, and she did.

What I didn’t expect was for that life to collide with mine two years later, while my contract is on the line. I can’t afford to get distracted, but with her bookstore right across from a team favorite hangout, mixed with the fact that she's my dog's new favorite person, it gets harder by the day to deny the effect she has on me.

When our past and present collide, I'm left with one harrowing realization: I may have saved her then, but her quiet strength is the only thing saving me now.

Genres: Hockey Romance

390 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication July 7, 2026

Reviews

[Ella B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still unsure what to think about this one!? 🤔

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never heard a MMC described as a Doberman MMC, but Markus/Sammie … that is actually the only way to describe him.

This book had everything you could need with it - HOCKEY, found family, trauma/healing, bookstore owner, emotional support dog. I absolutely adored the entire dynamic, even not remembering fully the details of book 1, it was written so well to catch you up to dive in as if a true standalone.

I read this as a beta with such limited feedback because the storyline is legitimately perfect as is. Only my second book by this author but immediately headed backwards in the backlist to meet the other characters and get the full experience of the world she has created.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Lindsey for this ARC!

Just as with Melt the Ice, I absolutely LOVED Ice Queen. I swear, Lindsey just knows how to write down bad, green flag, emotionally intelligent MEN. They aren’t perfect, because no one is, but they own up to their mistakes, and aren’t too proud to apologize and fix whatever went wrong. Markus is no exception, I loved him and his protective nature, but I also loved that he knew when to step back and let Kait stand up for herself.

The mental health rep and the care that Lindsey took with Kait and her past was perfect. Markus and Kait were absolutely precious, and I loved getting to see the continuation of the rest of the framily as well! I can’t wait to go back and read the rest of her books because these two solidified her as an auto-buy author for me!

Ice Queen will be released on July 7th, and I highly recommend you check it out! And in the meantime, read Melt the Ice!!!

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pero que historia tan hermosa. Lindsey has an ability to write books that will keep you going without wanting to stop. The characters will start to feel like you know them since page one. She is running away from someone who hurt you, finding comfort or safety in the person who took you away from it all, but not seeing them again but knowing they saved you. He is trying to be part of the team and be present at all times but sometimes your brain lets you know from something that happens. When I tell you this book had me hooked, wishing I knew this character in real life, being part of this amazing friend group, being able to be friends with Kaitlyn who found everything she ever wished for, even being seen by the handsome Markus. These books will give you all the emotions, being intrigued to what will happen next, being able to see them grow alone but together as well. This series is good, Lindsey's books are good, I will never past a book from this author, so make sure you don't either.

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Por fuera, Markus Samuels parece tenerlo todo. Es una estrella del hockey, tiene dinero, una familia que lo ama y sus amigos sus compañeros de equipo. Pero detrás de cada sonrisa se esconden heridas que nunca han sanado, recuerdos que lo persiguen incluso en sus sueños.

Kaitlyn pasó años atrapada en una relación abusiva. Cuando por fin logra escapar, llega a Tampa decidida a construir algo solo para ella. Lo último que busca es depender de alguien más, mucho menos de un hombre capaz de derribar todas las barreras que ha levantado para protegerse.

Aunque sus caminos se cruzaron una vez en el momento más inesperado, ninguno imaginó que el destino lo volvería a reunir. Ahora, mientras Markus lucha contra los fantasmas de su pasado y Kaitlyn intenta descubrir quién es realmente, desarrollan una conexión muy fuerte y deben decidir si serán capaces de dejar atrás el pasado y darle una oportunidad al presente o dejaran que sus miedos ganen.


__

Me encanto la amistad de todos, sobre todo como las chicas recibieron con los brazos abiertos a Kai desde el principio.

[Sofia Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story about survival, about healing hearts and finding the person who helps you in the process.
Markus is a talented hockey player hiding behind his survivor’s guilt and the crushing weight of it.
Kaitlyn is a survivor on her ow. She escapes from a hard situation and is decided to rebuild her life without being afraid.
Two accidental meetings and a few years later, they end up in the same circles.
Their connection is immediate, but fears and insecurities threaten their perfect chemistry.
Ice Queen is a beautifully written story that deals with grief and trauma with the perfect balance and care and shows that facing your fears might be painful, but the only way to move forward.
Lindsey Saenz gives us heartbroken characters that learn how love can heal, uplift and protect showing us the light after darkness, the companion after loneliness and the happiness after misery.
Thank you for the ARC.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tampa Bay Hawks: Markus and Kaitlyn

Oh my heart… Lindsey Saenz has delivered an absolute stunner of a read.
From one accidental meeting to another a few years later, this pair were meant to be together.
Markus is absolutely gorgeous. He’s troubled and attempting to deal with trauma in his past. His POV was heartbreaking, and he needed a big hug, yet at the same time, he was almost a little ray of sunshine for Kaitlyn.
Now Kaitlyn… relatively lighthearted, but significant trauma in her past in the form of a controlling ex… I love how she found a family in everyone around her and allowed Markus to see into her.

Full found family vibes, emotional healing, and although I picked who the torublemaker was, I really enjoyed the journey.

[Katey Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

-Slow Burn
-Found Family
-she falls first, he falls harder
-therapy rep
-bookstore owner-FMC
-Hockey player-MMC

For starters, I loved these characters. They both have some pasts that they are working through and I absolutely loved how they helped heal each other. Watching the growth was so relatable. I also love a good found family moment and this book celebrated that!

The FMC is so incredibly independent and strong after everything she went through. It is amazing to watch everyone come together and truly support her in her healing journey.

This book had me absolutely hooked! I can’t wait for more !

Thank you to Lindsay Saenz for the advanced reader copy!

[Lyndsay Blackman · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

Omg Lindsey you’ve done it again! I will admit I wasn’t much of a hockey reader until you and I thank you for every book you’ve written because each one wrangles me in a little more.

This MMC and FMC had me hooked from the beginning and their story was just ugh I don’t have words. Hot, sexy, wanting and needing more and on and on! I also love how in each book characters from each of the other books come together to tell a story that feels so real like a true Framily.

Also I hope I’m getting what you’re putting down and Reed and Cecy are next?! 🤔 😂

[Sydney B · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝘐’𝘮 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘯, 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘢. 𝘐𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘴. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘥𝘰. 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦.”

MARKUS SAMUELS 🥹🥹 this broken man with the biggest heart, omg!! I think I was crying through this whole story!! I completely devoured them. Him and Kait are precious and deserve all the happiness and love 🥹🥹

full rtc

🩵 what to expect -
hockey romance
doberman mmc
she falls first, he falls harder
found family
therapy rep
bookstore owner fmc
emotional support dog
fade to black

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know it’s good when your body is on pins and needles to know what’s going to happen next! And you have to force yourself to take a break before you pull an all nighter to finish on day one.

I’d like me you did not know what a Doberman MMC was, trust me when I say You’ll be wanting to cuddle up with him.

Thank you Lindsey for this amazing ARC! You did amazing bringing back all the characters we already loved into this one.

[Brooke.reads_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart is so full. Sammy and Kait have my whole heart and soul right now. Alpha/beta read. RTC🩷

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
Hockey Romance
Doberman MMC
Bookstore Owner FMC
Therapy Rep.
Slowww Burn
Found Family
Emotional Support Dog
Fade to Black

[Julie Mithun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beta read: RTC

[Brianne C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review closer to release day!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and I am completely emotionally traumatized, in a good way. I definitely felt all the emotions. Lindsey kept me hooked and I couldn’t put the book down.

[Stephanie Routhier · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received a copy of this book as an ARC. This review and thoughts are mine alone.*

Rating: 5⭐️
Spice: 🌶️


I had the honor of Alpha reading this book for Lindsey, and while it was good before, I genuinely can’t express how much i love them now.

This story follows Markus, who is a hockey player battling PTSD and survivors guilt from a traumatic plane accident that ended the life of his best friend.

We also follow Kaitlyn, who escapes from an abusive relationship, and moved to Tampa Bay. She meets Markus while she’s escaping, and he shields her from her ex.

Years later, we find Kaitlyn and Markus living in the same place. They both still have demons they’re running from, but are now moving on with their lives. Kaitlyn opening a bookshop (across from Maria’s coffee shop), and Markus still playing hockey but butting heads with his new coach.

These two wind up in the same social circles (thanks Maria!), and then ensues book club.

I truly cannot put into words what this book has meant to me. Markus and his lip ring (AKA LIPPIE), Kaitlyn and her new friends who form such a bond over their general interests, when she doesn’t feel worthy of the love they’re giving her.

This book is literal perfection.

Markus is the most patient man, and Kaitlyn deserved that.
I won’t go on forever, just know that you will NOT be disappointed.